Don't touch that ball!

My son’s high school locker room looks and smells like, well, a high school locker room. It's nose cocktail of sweat, Axe and old cheese not only hints at its germ-laden condition, but they are currently trying to stave off a contagious skin infection from making its way around the team. So when these tips to avoid MRSA and other infectious diseases in sports equipment landed in my inbox, I found it particularly timely and important to share.

According to the website StopMRSANow.org, athletes in particular should be careful with their equipment. They recommend:

Scrub up: Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Wipe it down: Use a disinfecting bleach solution to wipe down and disinfect hard surfaces. (1 tablespoon of disinfecting bleach diluted in 1 gallon of water or as directed on label)

Cover your cuts: Keep any nicks or wounds covered with a clean, dry bandage until healed.

Keep to yourself: Do not share personal items, like towels or razors, that come into contact with bare skin.

Use a barrier: Keep a towel or clothing between skin and shared equipment.

Don’t play dirty: Wash children’s athletic clothing after each use, using the warmest wash recommended and adding bleach when appropriate.

The Mayo Clinic also suggests to shower (no baths) immediately after athletic events, and not to share towels.

Implementing these practices could help ensure that a win is the only thing your child will be bringing home from the game.

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Raising children isn't easy. Whoa, Momma! is here to help you with parenting tips and discussion of all parenting issues. We think there's no such thing as TMI, so our blogging moms aren't shy about the hot topics and won't back away from a good debate. Bottle or breastfeed? Public, private or homeschool? And sex -- it's all open for comment. Don't sit on the sidelines -- pull up a bouncy seat and join the chat.